Pirelli eyes Kubica as next F1 test driver

Sep.22 (GMM/Inautonews.com) Robert Kubica could step up his quest to return to formula one by becoming official tyre supplier Pirelli’s next test driver.

The Italian marque’s current main tester, Jaime Alguersuari, is tipped to return to the paddock with a competing team in 2013.

Pole Kubica, regarded as one of F1’s most talented contemporaries until his early-2011 rallying crash, recently returned to competitive action after a 19-month recuperation with a couple of minor Italian rally outings.

The 27-year-old fared well, but Kubica has said he is unlikely to attempt a full return to F1 until at least 2014, due to the reduced mobility of his right arm at present.

But Pirelli’s Paul Hembery told Auto Motor und Sport he might be open to Kubica becoming the official F1 tyre tester in 2013.

“It’s a possibility,” said the Briton.

“I don’t know if he’s in a position to do the job at the moment, but he is definitely the kind of driver that we are looking for.”

Hembery admitted he has not spoken to Kubica “for some time”.

But “If he is physically capable, and spends a year with us, it would for sure bring him into a good position to maybe return (to racing) in 2014.